With Morgana’s search for the key to ‘Arthur’s Bane’ continuing, we receive a further hint of her back-story between series as it appears her line regarding ‘two years in the darkness’ may have been more than just a metaphor.
In the snowy landscape, we find Merlin and Arthur in chains, taken by the slavers to join the workforce at the tower of Ismere. Refusing to acquiesce to their fate, it doesn’t take them long to engineer an escape plan, involving both crossbows and a thrilling leap of faith. Despite their freedom though, all roads lead to Ismere.
On his arrival, Mordred receives an emotional welcome but he remains reticent. Newcomer Alexander Vlahos puts in a wonderfully enigmatic performance that seems to indicate he will be far more than just another one of Morgana’s pantomime henchmen.
Back home, Queen Guinevere waits for news of Arthur and has to deal with the consequences of her sentence of death on Sefa, the traitorous maid. Gaius is on hand as a wise counsellor, thankfully giving Richard Wilson far more to do than last week.
Deep below the tower, Gwaine’s sinewy rescuer comes to the fore providing not only miraculous healing but also a rather ponderous line in prophesy. Meanwhile Percival enjoys a slice of the action as he gets to engineer a resistance force… and yes, they’re all still shirtless down there before you ask!
As well as some more great banter with Arthur, and despite his forebodings, Merlin is well-served here. He not only manages to discover not only the truth surrounding ‘Arthur’s Bane’ but discovers a further mystery lurking beneath the tower too.
Director Justin Molotnikov continues to make good use of the snowy landscape, as well as providing some well-handled battle sequences where the intense Liam Cunningham (Ruadan) gets to display his impressive skills of both sorcery and sword.
The episode builds all its threads towards a climatic confrontation in the catacombs with consequences that will be felt across the whole series. If the opening episode restated the battle lines, this one provides a positively game-changing resolution that is guaranteed to shock.
Airs at 8.25pm on Saturday 13th October 2012 on BBC One.
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